Pregnancy and Child Birth

Pregnancy and child birth are such strange and wonderful things. It draws strong emotions...and sometimes their polar ends within minutes of each other. I love the feeling of growing a baby, giving all the nourishment and physical elements he/she will need once they leave the womb. But, it requires a high toll on the body. Everything from foods becoming suddenly unpalatable to expanding waistlines and extra water retention...making the toes and ankles look swollen. Back pains and sleeping problems. Bending over and sustained work loads are slowly minimized as the months pass and the time of baby's debut creeps closer.
But, how nice it was to be reminded at Women's conference last Saturday that although all these things are "true" about having babies, it's not necessarily the "truth" about having a baby.
The truth about being pregnant and child birth is that it is a necessary, utterly needed, component to God's plan: "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man". Immortality cannot come to pass without mortality, which is not possible without pregnancy and child birth. So, yes, pregnancy is long and not without pain. Those things are true, but it's not the truth about pregnancy and child birth. The truth is that women are allowed to be partners with God in one of the most essential pieces to his plan. What a privilege. Is that part of the awe that we feel as we gaze into their eyes (albeit mostly closed eyes) as they lay in our arms?
The 'truth' about pregnancy and childbirth is more enduring than whatever may be 'true' about it. Pregnancy and the bringing forth of a new babe is of such incredible importance that it is the one time that man/woman on earth may share in God's literal powers: that of procreation. We share in the power that is perhaps one of God's particular favorites.....is that why he chooses to be called Heavenly Father?
I sure like this position I hold as Mother. Good thing it lasts this life and into the next...